Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich is under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations involving Sh28 billion in funding for the Arror and Kimwarer dams projects, with the probe ongoing in 2019.
Rotich appeared at DCI headquarters in Kiambu on Tuesday, marking his second formal engagement with investigators this month. He was accompanied by lawyer Katwa Kigen, who confirmed the CS is cooperating fully with the inquiry.
The CS defended the Sh4.3 billion advance payment to Italian contractor SACE, stating it complied with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2015. He emphasized the funds originated from a loan facility, not public treasury resources, and cited contractual agreements requiring 15% advance payments for project initiation.
"Media reports about alleged misappropriation of Sh28 billion are misleading and damaging," Rotich said. "All projects adhere to legal frameworks, and investigations will address any potential breaches." He reiterated that the advance payment was intended to facilitate contractor site mobilization.
The DCI has summoned 107 companies, including 27 directors, over payments linked to the Elgeyo Marakwet county projects. This follows earlier questioning of firms involved in the Sh63 billion tender process, with investigations spanning 2019.
